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How “One-Straw Revolution” Transformed Our Gardening: A Natural method using Straw, Wildflowers, Clover, and a More Sustainable Garden

How “One-Straw Revolution” Transformed Our Gardening: A Natural method using Straw, Wildflowers, Clover, and a More Sustainable Garden

I first read Masanobu Fukuoka’s One-Straw Revolution while working as an Agricultural Extension Agent in Northern Thailand, and used some of his suggestions to make farming easier for the local farmers. His philosophy of “natural farming” completely reframed how we think about soil, plants, weeds, and the rhythm of the garden. Fukuoka—a Japanese farmer, scientist, and philosopher—believed that working with nature rather than controlling it creates healthier plants, healthier soil, and a more sustainable landscape with far less effort.

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Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

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A Spring Visit to Edinburgh: Staying in the Grassmarket, Gardens, Castles, and Whisky

A Spring Visit to Edinburgh: Staying in the Grassmarket, Gardens, Castles, and Whisky

A spring trip to Edinburgh staying in the historic Grassmarket, visiting Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Botanic Garden, enjoying traditional Scottish pubs, and touring the immersive Scotch Whisky Experience.

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Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

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Fresh coffee and blueberry muffin, perfect for breakfast or snack at Tony Fitzgerald Photography.

Blood Orange Marmalade Sugar Cookies — Easy Melted Butter Cookies Made with Sustainable Ingredients

These soft-and-crisp sugar cookies are filled with bright blood orange marmalade and made using the Master Cookie Recipe with melted butter, oil, and precise gram measurements. A simple, sustainable cookie that turns peak-season citrus into something truly special. This cookie recipe also includes a tested gluten-free variation, with no special techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.

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Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

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Jar of organic Korenza whole grain seeds with a labeled tag, next to a bag of Perennial Kernza grain.

What Is Kernza? The Sustainable Perennial Grain Changing How We Bake Bread and Waffles

Discover why Kernza—a perennial grain developed by The Land Institute—is more sustainable than wheat, saves growers time and money, and adds rich, nutty flavor to breads and waffles. Learn how we use Kernza in our baking.

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Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

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Vivid pink camellia blossom highlighting nature photography and floral beauty.

Spring at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh: Flowers, Photography, Shortbread, and Historic Charm

Discover the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in spring—bursting with blossoms, historic greenhouses, the Queen Mother’s charming cottage, and a café serving classic Scottish shortbread. A perfect destination for garden lovers and photographers alike.

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Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

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The Best Walnut Pie Filling (Browned Butter, Maple Syrup & Bourbon) — A Rich Twist on a Classic Holiday Dessert

The Best Walnut Pie Filling (Browned Butter, Maple Syrup & Bourbon) — A Rich Twist on a Classic Holiday Dessert

This browned-butter walnut pie filling is made with maple syrup, bourbon, and sustainably grown walnuts for a deeply flavorful twist on traditional pie. Perfect for Thanksgiving and ideal in our Master Tart Crust.

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Estimated reading time: 1 minute

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Delectable fried chicken with seasoned coating and salt garnish, served hot.

Sugar Cookies with Goldenberry Jam (Cape Gooseberry or Peruvian Groundcherry)

This is an easy recipe for making sugar cookies with goldenberry jam. Goldenberries are also known as Cape gooseberries (not related to gooseberries) or Peruvian groundcherries. These cookies are crispy on the outside, soft in the middle. So easy – no mixer, just stir the ingredients together in a bowl. Perfect every time. This cookie recipe also includes a gluten-free version, with a simple change and easy-to-find ingredients.

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Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

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Sugar cookies with strawberry jam filling on a patterned black and white plate, with fresh strawberries and a glass of milk on a marble surface, food photography.

Strawberry Jam Sugar Cookie Recipe — Easy Master Cookie Recipe with Melted Butter

Bake soft, crisp-edged strawberry jam sugar cookies using the Master Cookie melted-butter method. Easy, precise, sustainable, and perfectly sweet every time. This cookie recipe also includes a gluten-free variation.

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Estimated reading time: 1 minute

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Best Macadamia Nut Sugar Cookies — Easy, Melted-Butter Recipe That’s Perfect Every Time

Best Macadamia Nut Sugar Cookies — Easy, Melted-Butter Recipe That’s Perfect Every Time

Bake the best macadamia nut sugar cookies with this easy melted-butter Master Cookie recipe. Soft inside, crisp edges, sustainably sourced, and perfectly measured by grams. This cookie recipe also includes a tested gluten-free variation, with no special techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.

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Estimated reading time: 1 minute

Read More »Best Macadamia Nut Sugar Cookies — Easy, Melted-Butter Recipe That’s Perfect Every Time
Gochujang Sugar Cookie Recipe with Black Sesame Seeds (Easy Master Cookie Variation)

Gochujang Sugar Cookie Recipe with Black Sesame Seeds (Easy Master Cookie Variation)

Bake soft-centered, crisp-edged Gochujang sugar cookies made with melted butter, oil, black sesame, and precise gram measurements for flawless results every time. A sustainable, Master Cookie–style recipe that’s fast, simple, and irresistibly unique. This cookie recipe also includes a tested gluten-free variation, with no special techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.

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Estimated reading time: 1 minute

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Delicious sugar cookies topped with sugar crystals on a decorative black plate.

Easy Sugar Cookie Recipe

Try this easy sugar cookie recipe for cookies that are crispy outside and soft inside. Perfect results with no mixer needed. This cookie recipe also includes a tested gluten-free variation, with no special techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.

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Estimated reading time: 1 minute

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Close-up of a dessert with a creative apple garnish, artistic dish presentation, and wooden table background.

Santa Cruz’s Best Bakeries — Where to Find the Finest Bread, Pastries & Cakes

Whether you are a longtime local or just passing through Santa Cruz, this curated list will lead you to the very best bakeries in the region — from elegant French-style tarts to artisan sourdough, gluten-free loaves, and celebration cakes.

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Estimated reading time: 13 minutes

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Alt text: Fresh baked sugar cookies topped with pink sugar crystals on a black tray.

Best Sakura Sugar Cookies — Cherry Blossom Cookies Made with Real Japanese Blossoms

Bake soft sakura sugar cookies made with real Japanese cherry blossoms. Easy melted-butter method, no creaming or sifting, and measured by grams for perfect results. This cookie recipe also includes a gluten-free version with just one easy change.

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Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

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Artisanal baking ingredients, flour in a glass bowl with whisk, in a modern kitchen setting.

Superfine Sugar Substitute – Extra Fine Sugar | Caster Sugar | Baker’s Sugar

When you need a substitute for superfine sugar, also known as caster sugar or baker’s sugar, it’s really as simple as making it. Once you make it yourself, you will wonder why you ever bought it. It is much less expensive to make it and it takes only two minutes – literally only two minutes.

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Estimated reading time: 1 minute

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